Islington carers survey 2021: feedback from local residents with a caring role

London Borough of Islington (LBI) are reviewing the services provided to local unpaid carers. They launched an on-line survey in December 2020 and ran focus groups in January 2021.

To complement this work Healthwatch Islington worked with Arachne, Community Language Support Services, Imece, Islington Bangladesh Association, Islington Somali Community, Jannaty and the Kurdish and Middle Eastern Women’s Organisation to speak to local carers over the phone about their experiences and the services with which they engage.

Key findings:

• During January and February 2021, they spoke to 44 carers. None of the carers they spoke to had completed the LBI on-line survey.
• Most survey respondents were caring for one person (39), but four were caring for two people and one was caring for four.
• Most respondents had had support of some kind and reported this support as being ‘reliable’.
• People highlighted how lockdown had made things more difficult as there was less access to the usual kind of activities that benefit both the cared-for person and the carer. There was a desire for social, and well-being activities as soon as things re-open.
• Participants were very understanding of the pressure on the system during the pandemic and many had been satisfied with services. One commented on how safety standards had been excellent during this time. Some felt care had still been easy to access and that services were more attentive to needs.

Healthwatch Islington made one recommendation in this report: It is important to ensure that the Islington Carers Hub continues to be well connected to these organisations, and similar culturally-specific support organisations. This should help make Islington Carers Hub services more accessible to more residents from these communities.